Paleonet: Research Experiences for Undergraduates opportunity

[Kelley, Patricia]

Paleontological colleagues,

I have just received official notification of funding by the National Science Foundation of our Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Biodiversity Conservation program.  The program will be held this summer at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and includes faculty mentors from UNCW, UNC Chapel Hill, and the Paleontological Research Institution.

Program Summary:

	 A multidisciplinary group of students and faculty will compare fossil, archeological and modern marine samples to study how the marine ecosystem has changed through time.  We will determine the degree and nature of human impact, assess the health of the modern system, and identify possible approaches to protecting biodiversity.  

Activities include the following:

*	Collecting and studying fossils to reconstruct changes in the marine ecosystem over the past 3 million years 
*	Applying archeological techniques to American Indian shell midden materials to examine the marine system before intensive human influences 
*	Participating in research cruises and examining the health of the modern marine fauna 
*	Exploring environmental management implications of this work 

Dates: June 4 - July 31, 2008


Eligibility: 

	Eligible participants include rising juniors and seniors in Archeology/American Indian Studies, Biology, Environmental Studies, Geology/Paleontology and Marine Sciences. Members of underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply!

Financial Support: 

*	$ 450.00 a week stipend for 8 weeks 
*	All expenses paid 

	*	Round-trip transportation to Wilmington 
	*	Free housing in university apartments 
	*	$32 a day for food (cook or eat out) 

*	Money to continue your research at your home institution 
*	Travel to present your research results 

Application Deadline: We will begin review of applications on April 7, 2008.
I apologize for the late posting.  The program was recommended for funding by the program officer at the beginning of February, but NSF did not complete processing the paperwork until last night.

Fur further information and the online application, please see our website at http://www.uncw.edu/earsci/reu/overview.htm

or contact Patricia Kelley at kelleyp at uncw.edu.  Thanks!

Dr. Patricia H. Kelley
Professor of Geology
Department of Geography and Geology
University of North Carolina Wilmington
601 South College Road
Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-5944

Telephone: 910-962-7406 or 910-962-2348
Department office: 910-962-3490
Fax: 910-962-7077

Email: kelleyp at uncw.edu